§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, as the Washington Treaty, Chapter II., Part IV., requires a warship in the standard condition to have on board an equipment of miscellaneous stores and implements intended to be carried in war limited only by its storage capacity, the board is satisfied that all parties to the Treaty act up to this view?
Mr. ALEXANDERThe Board of Admiralty have no reason to suppose that any of the signatories of the Washington Treaty fails to include the full war equipment of miscellaneous stores, etc., when calculating the standard displacement of their ships.
§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty for what period are provisions and fresh water for crews of warships calculated for standard displacement; and whether the Board are satisfied that the naval Powers have this same period in view in making their computations?
Mr. ALEXANDERThe period for which the weight of provisions and fresh water allowed in the standard displacement of ships of the Royal Navy varies slightly in the different types, but is that which has been found by experience to be sufficient for the intended service. It is not known if this period is the same as that taken in the corresponding types in other Navies.
§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Washington Treaty, Chapter II., Part IV., is interpreted by the Board as requiring that a warship in the standard condition shall have its magazines full to capacity; whether he is satisfied that the naval authorities of the other signatories hold the same view of the Treaty's requirements on this point or, if not, what number of rounds per gun is allowed in computing standard displacement; and whether he is satisfied that the naval authorities of the other signatories make the same allowance?
1162W
Mr. ALEXANDERSo far as ships of the Royal Navy are concerned, the usual standard number of rounds for each calibre of gun carried is allowed for in the standard displacement, and the magazines are designed for the stowage of that number. It is not known if the standard numbers of rounds, or the weight of ammunition and shell per round, is the same in other Navies as in the Royal Navy.
§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty for what kind of service, in the opinion of the Board, the Washington Treaty, Chapter II, Part IV requires that a warship in the standard condition shall be fully manned; what is the weight per man assumed in the computation of standard displacement; and whether he is satisfied that the naval aultorities of the other signatories hold the same view as to what kind of service the Treaty envisages and as to the requirements in men of that service, and assume the same weight per man in making such computations?
Mr. ALEXANDERThe reply to the first part of the question is for war service, as stated in the definition. The Board of Admiralty have no reason to suppose that other signatories take a different view. The weight allowed in the standard displacement for each man and his personal belongings is 320 pounds. The weight allowed by other signatories to the Treaty is not known.